CASGA & ASEAN Senior Championships By Dr Agoes Salim, Secretary General CASGA On 12 August 1983 twelve gentlemen met at a hotel in Jakarta. They represented the Indonesian Senior Golfers Society (3), the Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia (4), the Singapore Senior Golfers Society (3), the Thailand Senior Golfers Association (1) and another person from the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta. In the chair was Mr Jaconias Benoni (Ben) Titiherew of Indonesia. They studied a draft constitution presented by Tan Sri Nik Daud of Malaysia, and decided to adopt it. They resolved to establish a senior golf group whose members would be the organizations of senior golfers in the Asean countries. Thus was born the Asean Senior Golfers Association, the predecessor of the Confederation of Asean Senior Golfers Associations, to foster friendship amongst senior golfers in Asean and to promote an Annual Open Amateur Senior Golfers Championship. Four countries applied for membership: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. They paid the entrance fees as well as the annual subscriptions. The yearly dues were based on the membership strengths of the national organizations. The Philippine Seniors Golf Association became the fifth member in 1986. In those early years there was no organization of senior golfers in Brunei Darussalam. Three years later Brunei was admitted as the sixth member. Structure of CASGA The governing structure of ASGA comprised the annual general meeting and an executive committee. Apart from the President and the Secretary/Treasurer the committee was made up of a representative from each Affiliate. The executive committee, who were elected at an annual general meeting and held office for two years, would meet shortly before each annual general meeting. In 1995 a minor change was effected. The President was elected to a one-year term. The following year the Secretary General was elected to hold office for three years. Another amendment took place last year when the term of the Secretary General was extended to four years. This structure remained until 1999 when the constitution of the Asean Senior Golfers Association was overhauled and the organization renamed the Confederation of Asean Senior Golfers Associations (CASGA). The main reason for revising the constitution of the organization was to provide for flexibility of management. When ASGA was formed it was registered under the Societies Act of Malaysia. As such it had to abide by the requirements of the Act. For instance the name of the organization had to be in Bahasa Malaysia. It not only had to report annually to the Registrar of Societies, but any amendment to the constitution of ASGA had to be approved by the Registrar before it could become effective. The Societies Act also requires the organization to have an executive committee. Experience seemed to show that such a committee was quite unnecessary as the activity of CASGA is essentially the annual Championships. All matters relating to the Championships can easily and effectively be disposed of by the General Meeting. All these legal requirements were thought to be quite unnecessary for an organization like ours. The constitution was revised to meet our needs and our organization was renamed the Confederation of Asean Senior Golfers Associations without being subject to the laws of any government. The provision for an executive committee was dropped and all decisions since then have been taken by the general meetings. CASSGA now operates much more efficiently. Page 47
Presidents and Secretaries of CASGA For a number of years the top positions in the Association were held by the same persons. Mr Ben Titiherew, the first President, expressed a desire to retire a few times but was persuaded to stay on. He finally got his wish when Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohammed of Malaysia was elected President in 1993. After that the post of President has rotated among the national associations with the honor going to the head of the host delegation. Like Ben Titiherew, Tan Sri Nik Daud was elected and reelected six times as the Secretary/Treasurer. He gave yeoman service for 13 years and retired in 1996 when his health would not allow him to continue. Tan Sri Nik Daud passed away three years later. Dr Agoes Salim became the second person to fill the post. The following have served as Presidents: 1983-93 Mr Ben Titiherew Indonesia 1993-95 Tan Sri Sallehuddin Malaysia 1995-96 Mr Frisco F. San Juan Philippines 1996-97 Mr Cheong Wing Singapore 1997-98 ACM Pramote Veruttamasane Thailand 1998-99 Mr Zakir Indonesia 1999-00 Tan Sri Sallehuddin Malaysia 2000-01 Brig. Gen. Telesforo J. Tayko, Jr. Philippines 2001-02 Mr Zakir Indonesia 2002-03 Mr Toh Shung Chee Singapore 2003-04 Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hussain Brunei 2004-05 ACM Pramote Veruttamasane Thailand 2005-06 Tan Sri Sallehuddin Malaysia 2006-07 Mr Philip Judan Philippines 2007-08 Dr Ir Yuwono Kolopaking Indonesia 2008-09 Mr Toh Shung Chee Singapore 2009-10 Mr Thavorn Phatanakeow Thailand 2010-11 Pengiran Dato Maj Gen Abidin Brunei 2011-12 Mr Clyde L. Fernandez Philippines 2012-13. Tan Sri Sallehuddin Malaysia 2013-14 Dr Ir Yuwono Kolopaking Indonesia 2014-15 Dato Loh Ah Joo Singapore Page 49
Role & Function The main function of the Confederation relates to the organization of the annual Asean Senior Amateur Golf Championships. The Confederation at its annual general meetings decides on the hosts of the Championships. At the same time it lays down the guidelines and rules governing the running of the Championships so as to ensure general uniformity in the meets. The Confederation decides on such things as the format of play, the number and allocation of participants, the number of prizes to be awarded, and the use of motorized buggies. The Championships On 13th and 14th August, 1983 some 173 senior golfers teed off at Jagorawi Golf and Country Club in a tournament that became known as the 1st Asean Seniors Amateur Open Golf Championships and Tournament. That meet set the stage for a series of regional golf that has lasted, almost uninterrupted, now into its twenty-fifth year. Most of the participants of the first Championships were naturally Indonesians, but there were 34 from Malaysia and another 12 from Singapore. There was also a token representation from Thailand and the Philippines. The Asean Championships were an instant success. At the meet in Malaysia in 1984 there were 301 participants. The following year when the Championships were held in Singapore 233 golfers took part. Except for a very few occasions the size of the Championships was closer to 300. Thailand seemed to be able to draw bigger participation than any other country. When the Championships were first held there in 1988, the total reached 453. In subsequent Championships in Thailand the numbers exceeded 300. In the early years there was no upper limit to the number of players that the hosts could accommodate. The decision was left to the wisdom of the hosts. By and bye there was a feeling that a very large field of competitors would prove to be unwieldy and affect the enjoyment of the game. So in 1990 the Annual General Meeting agreed that the field should not exceed 240 if two courses were available, with the rider that if afternoon play was possible the total could go up to 300. The following year, at the Meeting in Manila, the Thailand Seniors sounded the delegates about catering to 500 but they were told by the rest to stick to 300. Yet the final figure at the Championships in Pattaya in 1992 was 332. Over the years there were suggestions that the number of participants should be increased to 360, but the Confederation decided only in exceptional cases only could the maximum number be allowed to reach 300. Otherwise the more reasonable number should be 240. Though normally the Championships were wellsupported by visiting participants, there were two occasions when foreign participation was markedly reduced. The first affected the 1965 Championships in Manila when there were no participants from Singapore. This was due to the strained diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Singapore caused by the death sentence imposed by a Singapore court on a Filipina maid who had been charged with murder. Because of the situation Singapore golfers stayed away from the Philippines. Incidentally there was no participation from Brunei that year. Of the 265 participants 228 were Filipinos. The second time when foreign participation was below the allocation happened in 2001 when the Championships were held at Gunung Geulis, Indonesia. Many golfers were anxious about the security situation in Jakarta because of riots in the city earlier. In spite of the assurances given by the Indonesian Senior Golfers Society only a few foreign golfers made the trip. As it turned out the Championships went off very well with none of the security scare that others had anticipated. Page 51
Change of Format A major change in the Championships occurred in 2005 when the format of stroke play was split into two. Until then all participants whether for the individual championships, or teams championships, or for the agegroup tournaments were involved in stroke play. Thus, a player with handicap 16 or below could be playing in three competitions simultaneously, namely as a member in a teams event, in the individual championship, as well as in the age-group event. On the other hand, someone with a handicap of 24 would be competing only in the individual net event and in his age-group event. This arrangement meant that all players must play on the same courses and take part in stroke play. The disadvantage, however, was that it could result in slow play. As a matter of fact it did more often than not result in sometimes extremely slow play. The older players had to play from the same tees as the younger and stronger ones. Putting high handicappers to play on the same courses with the low handicappers in each round resulted in quite a lot of frustration. As a result of several experiences, it was decided to amend the format. The field was split into two, one playing stroke while the other used the Stableford system. The stroke play format was adopted for those involved in the individual championships and in the teams events. They were players with handicaps 18 and below. Those not involved in the individual championships would play in age-group competitions and would use the Stableford system. The two groups would not play on common courses in each round. This new format was tried out in the Kuala Lumpur Championships in 2005 and again in the Manila Championships the following year. This new format appears to meet the needs of senior golfers and has been adopted by CASGA for subsequent Championships. Allocation Principle When the number of participants was manageable, the hosts just adopted the all-comers system and accepted all entries. But when the entries had to be limited, the hosts had to allocate places to the countries. Seeing the need for a uniform system of allocation the Philippines proposed an allotment principle based on equity and population factors. Under this principle each country would get a basic allocation called the equity factor, and an additional allocation in accordance with the size of membership of the association. The system finally adopted was an amended version proposed by Malaysia which differed from the Philippine version only in terms of numbers. With the adoption of this allotment principle the Secretary General is given the authority to allocate to each country the number of participants each may enter for the Championships. Each country is required to notify him the number of members that the national association has on its register at the end of every three years. The allotment principle was amended when the Championships format was altered in 2005. Page 53
Past Winners Trophies For Stroke Score Sallahuddin Challenge Trophy Best Gross Individual 54 holes Mondonedo Challenge Trophy Best Net Individual 54 holes Henry H. S. Lee Challenge Trophy Team Gross 54 holes Zakir Challenge Trophy* Team Net 54 holes *In 2009 Zakir Challenge Trophy was instituted to replace Sutantyo Challenge Trophy Year Best Gross Individual Best Net Individual Teams Teams Gross Net 1st 1983 Dr Voraporn Isranguna (T) Malaysia Indonesia 2nd 1984 Dr Rashid Mallal (M) Michael Yew (M) Malaysia Malaysia 3rd 1985 Lee Heng Chong (M) W. Prasteyo (I) Malaysia Singapore 4th 1986 P. Harahap (I) W. Prasteyo (I) Malaysia Singapore 5th 1987 P. Katigbak (P) A. Gabngh(P) Philippines Philippines 6th 1988 R. Alindayu (T) Mario Espino (P) Philippines Singapore 7th 1989 Lee Heng Chong (M) Mana Wongsongboon (T) Malaysia Thailand 8th 1990 Vasquez Pompeyo (P) Ajit Singh Gill (S) Philippines Singapore 9th 1991 Jass Manglutan (P) Bienvenido Ruiz (P) Philippines Philippines 10th 1992 J. Kirkham (S) Narciso San Juan (P) Singapore Singapore 11th 1993 Bryan Phang (S) HRH Sultan AzlanShah(M) Indonesia Malaysia 12th 1994 Tan Yee Choon (M) rittiriong Kanchanakeo (T) Malaysia Malaysia 13th 1995 Chua Pih Hui (M) Smitra Kijaharn (T) Philippines Thailand 14th 1996 Bautista Francisco (P) Vasquez Pompeyo (P) Philippines Philippines 15th 1997 Vasquez Pompeyo (P) Mana Wongsongboon (T) Thailand Thailand 16th 1999 Jim Rajaratnam (M) raymond Choo (S) Malaysia Singapore 17th 2000 Quda Kam (P) Zablan Clara (P) Philippines Philippines 18th 2001 Sofyan F.A.G (I) Gurcharan Singh (M) Philippines Thailand 19th 2002 Sofyan F.A.G (I) Ruslan Djailani (I) Singapore Singapore 20th 2003 Borhan Ujang (M) Aplanaidu (M) Brunei Brunei 21st 2004 Mahrome Mohamed (M) Vichit Onsri (T) Malaysia Malaysia 22nd 2005 Mohd Chudi (M) Mohd Ramlee (M) Malaysia Malaysia 23th 2006 Sofyan F.A.G (I) Art Ampaya (P) Indonesia Philippines 24th 2007 Hendra Jaya (I) Harbiansjah H (I) Indonesia Thailand 25th 2008 Douglas Ooi (S) Mohd Azman b. Musa (M) Singapore Brunei 26th 2009 Dante Tejada (P) Art Ampaya (P) Philippines Philippines 27th 2010 Alfred Sim (B) Samrang Mafuang (T) Brunei Malaysia 28th 2011 Jose Inigo (P) Mohd Adzman Musa (M) Philippines Philippines 29th 2012 Hamdan Zambahari (M) Hamizan Md Derus (M) Malaysia Indonesia 30th 2013 Hendra Jaya (I) Dicky Tan (S) Singapore Thailand Toh Shung Chee Trophy for Best Stableford Score 1st 2008 Pansak Panich (T) 2nd 2009 Liow Chee Hoa (B) 3rd 2010 Peter Lee Kok Chiang (M) 4th 2011 Leong Yoke Mun (M) 5th 2012 Latief Lee (I) 6th 2013 Somchai Aumpai (T) Page 55
Past Asean Championships PERFORMANCE IS FOR EVERY PLAYER. Singapore Senior Golfers Society hosted a Championship in 1982 to which senior golfers from Asean countries were invited. The hosts called it the First Asean Senior Championship. Since there was no formal organization of Asean Senior Golf at that time, the Asean Senior Golfers Association established in 1983 decided to designate the Singapore championship as the Inaugural Championship and the Jagorawi championship as the First Asean Championship. The hosts, venues and the number of participants for the respective Championships appear below. The Pro V1 is so advanced that it gives golfers at any level everything they need. Adam Scott The Pro V1 performs off the tee great. It goes long, it goes exactly where I aim it, and it works perfectly. Stephen L. Pro V1, Amateur I need the Pro V1 just as much as a Tour player, because I m trying to improve my game. Paige J. Pro V1, Amateur Pro V1 and Pro V1x golfers are Tour players and men and women of all ages with a wide range of handicaps and swing speeds. These golf balls are designed to provide superior performance on every shot, delivering exceptional distance, short game control, soft feel and long lasting durability. That s why more golfers around the world have made the Pro V1 and Pro V1x the #1 choice for their game. Pro V1 and Pro V1x fit all of my members, young or old, regardless of swing speed. Andrew Shuck PGA Professional The Pro V1x gives me a perfect combination of distance and short game control. Landon C. Pro V1x, Amateur I don t see any reason why I shouldn t play the same ball as a Tour player. I m looking for the same benefits. Distance off the tee and control around the greens. David M. Pro V1x, Amateur Year Host Venue No of Participants 1st 1983 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Jagorawi Golf & Country Club 173 2nd 1984 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia RSGC & KGNS, Kuala Lumpur 301 3rd 1985 Singapore Senior Golfers Society Singapore Island Country Club 233 4th 1986 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Bali Handara Golf & Country Club 155 5th 1987 Philippine Seniors Golf Association Villamor Golf Club, Manila 151 6th 1988 Thailand Seniors Golf Association Royal Thai Air Force, Bangkok 453 7th 1989 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia RSGC & KGNS, Kuala Lumpur 288 8th 1990 Singapore Senior Golfers Society Singapore Island Country Club 260 9th 1991 Federation of Philippine Sr Golfers Canlubang Golf & Country Club 300 10th 1992 Thailand Seniors Golf Association Siam Country & Navy Club, Pattaya 332 11th 1993 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Jagorawi Golf & Country Club 291 12th 1994 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia RSGC & KGNS, Kuala Lumpur 328 13th 1995 Federation of Philippine Sr Golfers Orchard G&CC, Dasmarinas, Cavite 265 14th 1996 Singapore Senior Golfers Society Singapore Island Country Club 260 15th 1997 Thailand Seniors Golf Association Lam Chabang Int l Country Club, 327 Burapha G&CC, Chonburi 16th 1999 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia Glenmarie G&CC, Tropicana G&CC 200 17th 2000 Federation of Philippine Sr Golfers Manila Southwoods G&CC Riviera G&CC 300 18th 2001 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Gunung Geulis Country Club 158 19th 2002 Singapore Senior Golfers Society Singapore Island Country Club 144 20th 2003 Brunei Darussalam Assc of Snr Golfers Jerudong Park Country Club 193 & Empire Hotel & Country Club 21st 2004 Thailand Seniors Golf Association Pattaya Club & Khao Kheow CC 259 22nd 2005 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia Saujana G&CC, Glenmarie G&CC 256 23th 2006 Fed of Phil Amateur Sr Golfers eagle Ridge G&CC, Gen Trias, Cavite 254 24th 2007 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Jagorawi Golf & Country Club 256 25th 2008 Singapore Senior Golfers Society Singapore Island Country Club 261 26th 2009 Thailand Seniors Golf Association Springfield Royal GC, Lake View Golf Club 249 27th 2010 Brunei Darussalam Assc of Snr Golfers Empire Hotel & Country Club 256 & Royal Brunei GC, Jerudong 28th 2011 Fed of Phil Amateur Sr Golfers Mimosa G&CC, Fontana Golf & Country Club 256 29th 2012 Senior Golfers Society of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club 264 The Mines Resort & Golf Club 30th 2013 Indonesian Senior Golfers Society Merapi Golf Club Yogyakarta 268 Borobudur Int l Golf Club, Magelang Join Team Titleist at titleist.com.sg 2014 Acushnet Company. Page 57 sg4_print_single_prov1_jan14_21x28.indd 1 7/11/14 11:02 AM